April 16, 2024

 

Eldon and Danita Wilcox enjoyed a reunion with a former exchange student who lived in the Wilcox home while attending Preston High. It has been 22 years since Omar Lopez lived in Mink Creek. Omar brought his wife and two children to share past memories of his life in Idaho. Living in Tijuana, Mexico, the kids were particularly interested in seeing snow. The group went up into our canyons in order to find enough to get in some sledding activity. MaKenzie Gunter and Brigham Wilcox were part of the Wilcox household when Omar was a teen and they came home to reconnect with Omar and meet his family.

Jay and Kristin Collins spent Easter weekend with their daughter Claire Collins in the Boise area. One of the objectives of their visit was helping Claire move to a new apartment, always a daunting task and extra hands help to lighten the load.

Doug and Kathy Wilcox have been building a lovely home on a spot of land they have owned for a number of years. They were up from Utah recently and brought some family as well, Steve and Brooke Wilcox and Darin and Maddie Wilcox. Mink Creek is a great place for a second home, especially during the warm, green months of the year.

Robert and Phee Crosland have recently returned from a long anticipated trip to New Zealand, in the company of two of their sons, Rico and Armando Crosland. Rico Crosland served as the organizer, planner and tour guide for this venture, having served in New Zealand for two years as a missionary. They loved the beautiful scenery, enjoyed a visit to the Hamilton, New Zealand, Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and survived a flat tire with no spare.

We have had a respiratory bug making the rounds with the coming of spring. Several of our citizens have reported three weeks of dealing with a congestion, head aches, etc. that simply will not leave. It is more than the annual “Spring cold” with the sniffles.

April 10, 2024

 

Easter in Mink Creek this year dawned with snow, sleet, and slush, all depending on where you were located in terms of elevation. That is how it works in the community. But it was a great weekend for people coming home and being together.

Kim and Sam Daines and their daughters were up from Lehi, UT, soaking up some village time and adding joy to the day of Kim’s mother, Judy Clark. Devin and Maria Flake and son Jude expanded the ranks of the Baird family, particularly with Lana McCracken and Nathan Baird, but stretching out to LaRon and Liesa Baird’s family.

Dane and Rebecca Jones and Clara made a long trip from Washougal, WA, for some time with her parents, Johnny and Jeannine Iverson. The Jones family lived for a year in Mink Creek so even without Mink Creek roots, this was a homecoming for them.

Tiffany and Spencer Wheeler of Parma, ID, brought their children, Hudson and Charlotte, home to grandmother Candy Longhurst so she could introduce them to the fun of farm chores and animals.

Mink Creek will always be home for Wes and Heather Hansen of Ogden. The Hansen House near the mouth of Mink Creek is a frequent host of Hansen siblings.

Ami Fenton and her family shared Easter traditions with her parents, Eldon and Danita Wilcox.

Easter activities combined with birthdays for some celebrating for Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson’s bunch. Jerry and Christine Olson and daughters came up from Santa Clara, UT. C J Peterson, a grandson, joined the group.

LaMar and Claudine McKague are enjoying living closer to three of their children. They had Sage and Nathan Ricks down from Rexburg, Ethan McKague from Lehi, UT, and Jarin and Brynlee McKague and sons from Idaho Falls, visit on separate weekends recently.

David and Melanie Law, part-time residents with one foot in Utah, the other in Mink Creek, brought a good group of family to spend these special days.

As the holiday weekend approached many residents wondered how to make plans with the regularly changing weather. As reported it appears there was a good mix of both indoor and outdoor plans made, always with some flexibility.

The youth of the Mink Creek ward made a trip to Pocatello, ID, for a visit to the Pocatello Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After their activities there they enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls produced from the kitchens of their local leaders. It was a sweet experience for all connected, in all aspects.

April 3, 2024

 

Spring Break from school means a variety of daily changes for those few days. So much of it depends upon the weather received during that time. There have been plans for aerating of lawns, cleaning out sheds, getting rid of the proverbial ‘junk.’ Even thoughts of planting might “dance in our heads.” Unless it snows and rains for that week, which pretty much describes how it has been for this break.

The Kasey and Julia Haws family made an early spring trip up from California, with a number of their family in tow. The weather they met in Mink Creek was fairly decent and they were able to combine some fun with spring preparations.

Kurt and Margret Iverson and their son Conner were able to head to the eastern part of the country and tour various historical sites of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some were around Palmyra, N Y, others in Nauvoo, IL and Kirtland, OH. That covers a considerable amount of miles, but such was the case in the history of the church.

The family of Chiara Crosland gathered in Mink Creek in a memorial service, honoring her life. She passed away at age 42 on February 19 in Safford, AZ. Chiara grew up in Mink Creek, her parents are Robert and Phee Crosland. Her children, her siblings and extended family came together to share memories.

The Young Women’s organization discovered that there are multiple types of toppings for freshly made scones. Prior to the main activity they indulged in frying the dough and topping the creations with butter, cinnamon sugar, various icings, various jams. Then they met at the home of one of their leaders, Casey Christensen, to learn the art of assembling silk flowers into lasting corsages or boutonnieres. The outcome was as many different designs as there were girls, plus the fun of creativity.

I don’t know about you, but I am still adjusting to the Daylight Saving Time shift. The last meal of my day is late because my brain doesn’t realize it is time to get hustling up food. Even my cat’s inner timer is off-kilter.

These last few days have felt like spring, and not just “Idaho spring.” Even though we are expecting another storm in a day or two, it has been great to have the feeling of moving forward.  It really is April!

March 28, 2024

 

The bird population is exploding with the more definite coming of spring. Trumpeter swans have stopped by for a few days rest. The little twittery birds are scratching about in yards looking for any leftover morsels to eat as they check out nest building materials that will be needed before long. The local owls are enjoying the warmer night time hours for longer chatting sessions, echoing across our valley. Nearly every year I have lived here we have a flock of Evening Grosbeaks that visit for a few days, checking out the pine cones in our yard and any dried chokecherries that might be on the top branches of our tree. 

Several of our residents have undertaken the making of maple syrup from the local maple and box elder trees. The activity has been one encouraged by County Agent, Brackin Henderson and it has proven interesting. It takes gallons of the sap from the trees to boil down into usable, small containers of the sweet stuff, but the challenge has been inviting. It is no easy task.

The family of Stuart and Alona Ostler have taken a spring trip to San Carlos, Mexico, for a week’s worth of ocean-fishing and fun. The weather was perfect this year. Stuart and Alona took their whole family and then some more. Alona’s parents, Brent and Jody Sharp, went along and this was a first time for Brent.

March Madness and a love of basketball took Kim Rasmussen along with some other family to the bright lights of Las Vegas for the tournaments. It is an annual event for Kim.

The Relief Society held a social to celebrate the anniversary of the organization. It was a brunch held in the recreation hall entitled “Aren’t We Lucky!” There was meet and greet and some fun games. Decorations spoke of spring, mixed with some St. Patrick’s luck, created by Hollie Keller and Kim Christensen. The theme was that of having an Attitude of Gratitude, for blessings received. The food committee members were Barbara Olson, Kristin Collins, Lorraine Christensen and Robin Stephenson and they served French Toast Strata with blueberry syrup, bacon and sausage with ample amounts of fresh fruit and a festive punch.

It appears we are going to have a rather wet Easter weekend.  Get ready for egg hunts in the house and some good indoor games for entertainment.  Hiking and picnics outdoors likely won't be an option.   Don't forget to have some thoughts of the real reason we celebrate Easter, Christ's resurrection, and those things we receive because of Him.  

March 20, 2024, a day late

 I thought February was a short month, but this one is zipping by even faster it seems.  We've had the official first day of spring, according to this Leap Year calendar, and it has been measuring up to Spring.  People talking about planting gardens,  daffodil shoots pushing up through the earth.  And the weather talking about possible snow storms in a day or two.  That does sound like spring, hoping to avoid the freezing of the green.

Wynn and Cecelie Costley were able to go to Utah to witness the ordination of a grandson. He is the son of McKay and Lynsey Costley.

Lana Baird McCracken was surrounded by immediate family and friends for the funeral of her husband, Ivan. Her oldest son, LaRon and his family live in Mink Creek, as does Nathan Baird. Daniel and Heather Baird and family came down from Sugar City, ID. Maria and Devin Flake live in Saratoga Springs, UT, Tamara Taylor is in Woods Cross, UT. Twins, Owen and Brian Baird, are both Utah residents. Lana’s sister Loretta Goodwin and much of her family came down from the Downey area. Lana’s brothers, Arlon Bennett of Garland, UT, and Clell Bennett and his daughter Laurinda of Pocatallo joined the group. The Baird/Lindhardt family was represented by Mike, Paul and Barbara.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month at the home of Terrie McKay on Station Creek. Lorraine Christensen gave a lesson about the families of the Mormon Battalion. Karen Erickson shared the history of her great grandfather, Elijah Knapp Fuller, a pioneer of Nauvoo who made the trek to the Rocky Mountains. The ladies elected officers for the coming year. Refreshments were served to the ladies by Terrie McKay and Kristin Collins.

The funeral of Lyla Ann Christensen Dettmer of Preston, was held at the Preston North Stake Center and she was interred in the Mink Creek Cemetery. Lyla grew up in Mink Creek, the second daughter of Lyle and Ruth Ann Christensen. Her sister, Julie Cooper lives in town and her brothers, Phil and Brian, are Mink Creek residents. A number of Christensen relatives were here for that memorial.

This weather that flips on a weekly basis is stirring up the wildlife. Perhaps you have had occasion to notice that the skunks are coming out of hibernation and making themselves known. Perhaps you are fortunate enough that you haven’t had reason to be aware of that seasonal outing.

March 12, 2024

 Happy St Patrick's Day, in a few.  I would bet that most of you who read this will claim a bit of Irish blood in your  inheritance.

Joe and Kathy Jarvis have returned from a lengthy vacation to St George, UT. Ancitiapating an early Idaho spring they were a little disappointed to find wind, snow and other Arctic weather awaiting in Mink Creek.

Another couple seeking warmer climes were Richard and Vickie Free. They have recently spent some time in Hawaii, soaking up sunshine and some down time after the ups and downs of winter and health.

Abigail Janke and her fiancé, Austin Leas, took a couple of days from school at BYU/I in Rexburg to spend some time with her grandparents, Bob and Claudia Erickson. The grandparents thoroughly enjoyed a great dinner produced by these two in the family kitchen.

The family of Marshall Clyde of South Jordan, UT, stopped in Mink Creek to view the art work of Clyde’s grandfather, Harold Helgesen, the Norwegian artist who painted several murals in the building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that was built in 1929. Helgesen shared his talents in several other churches in Franklin county as well as some businesses before moving to the St. Anthony area where he was commissioned for murals in a private hospital.

With the anticipation of approaching Spring the Thursday night Pickleball and Exercise activity will no longer be scheduled. With Daylight Saving Time and plans for gardens and yards, leisure hour activities will be shifted.

Sundance and Anna Watts and their children were up from Layton, UT. They are former residents and were here to see his brother, Shade and Brittany Watts.

The youth of the Mink Creek LDS Ward have joined with those of the Riverdale wards in an activity entitled, “Become A Missionary.” It takes a portion of each day to get a small idea of a few things that go into a missionary’s life. More details are given in the Riverdale rural column.

Deer are pleased to be finding some bare hills for browsing. Of course that condition also raises the chances of their being hit in the nighttime traffic as they move about. Also we have a cougar that has been sighted in our village. Of course with the warmer weather the skunks are making their presence known.

March 5, 2024

 

Claudine and LaMar McKague and their daughter Elsie drove to Salt Lake to take in a Utah Grizzlies Hockey game. They were meeting their son Ethan who lives in Lehi. It turned out to be a family weekend, back in Mink Creek for these four when another daughter, Sage Ricks joined them from Idaho Falls.

Jared and Julianna Egley and sons Christopher and Ryan have moved from their beautiful home in Mink Creek to another beautiful home near the Preston Golf Course. This switch will put Jared a little closer to his job as a pilot flying out of Salt Lake City.

When Bill Despain heard that his friends, Jeff and Barbara Olson, were speaking in the Sunday meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he drove over from Fielding, UT, to spend the day in Mink Creek among friends and neighbors. If he could split his time between his family in Fielding and Mink Creek, it would be good for everyone.

One of our residents, Ivan McCracken, passed away recently in a traffic accident on Highway 91 near Swan Lake. He had taken a trip to visit a brother who lives in Burley, ID. He is the husband of Lana Baird McCracken. The funeral will be March 7 in Mink Creek.  He will be buried in Blue Water, New Mexico.

Roxy and Mack DeVries felt privileged to be co-hosts for a Regency Ball, “a ‘Lady Danbury’ soiree,” with Chloe K. James of Smithfield featured at the Bullen Center in Logan. Roxy has a flare for design and loves creating costumes and floral pieces. Chloe is an author and they spot-lighted eight other authors. The theme centered around the Regency Era and how fun it was to be taken back in time with costumes of that day, live music from a Logan stringed quartet for dances suitable to the elegance of the occasion. Roxy provided refreshments and decorations and Jessica Pickering was available for photographs. The dance caller was Stephanie Wright Carstens, who helped to make the night a success. The group hopes to have workshops on poetry, writing, sewing, embroidery and other early 1800’s lady activities this coming summer.

A cougar has been out and about in our community. It is finding empty barns here and there as suitable resting places. Be alert for household pets and their safety.